A/N: So... This one isn't very good, but I'm trying to write it during a total shit storm. I'm writing a 20 page paper, working all the time, and breaking up with my boyfriend for the second time in two months. -.-' I'm also watching Moulin Rouge, so this almost ended a hell of a lot sadder than it did. I was contemplating making it a character near-death fic. o.o Anyway... Hope it's not too shitty.
kittit24: Well, I suppose that if you only use the flamethrower on the zombies it's okay... lol. Glad you liked it.
Taisi: Witchita breaking into a vending machine was loosely inspired by that scene in 28 Days Later where Cilian Murphy is raiding the Pepsi machine in the hospital. ;D
Gooooodpie: Lawnmower idea was from Dead Rising. The game wasn't that great, but it's got zombies in it, so I had to provide a shout-out to it. And I know what it's like to be backstage set crew. I was technically a minor character in our production last year and spent most of my time backstage and no one said a damn word of thanks when I kept the props set up and everything. :( And don't worry about long reviews. They make me feel special. :D
KyoShomaLover: No strange zombie babies. I promise that much, lol. Glad you likey.
indigo_blue72: I firmly believe that she should be called Bitchita. I don't like her. And she is definitely bitchy and self-centered enough to sink the Talumbus ship... Although I do enjoy the idea of her starting a fight to make them jealous... /evil laugh. Also, Here is update. I apologize for the lateness again.
foxy-comic-death: Heheh. I chose a hospital because they have those drug books in the hospital pharmacies, and not really at Walgreens. Besides, works better this way, ne? lol
Ninny-na: Tally will only learn after much effort and physical beatings. XD
LadyV.2102: There's an old Biblical saying that goes "Pride comes before the fall of man" or something like that. I was just making a bit of a pun saying that Tallahassee had been prideful just before Columbus fell and got hurt, lol. And don't worry about your song references. They're fine. I know what it's like. And I think Columbus is the only thing that can make Tallahassee worry. EVER. Haha.
AbigailBreslinRocks13: Here is more and Collie isn't half-dead this time. :D
luuluulove: Yes, fluff and bitchy-witchy... I like it. :D And I'm glad you liked the chapter so much.
Surviving Insanity: Yes, Silent Hill gave me a case of chill-bumps when I first watched it, lol. And I will continue writing forever and ever. :D
creativeamber: The seven deadly sins, in alphabetical order: Envy, Gluttony, Greed, Lust, Pride, Sloth, and Wrath. And don't worry about not knowing them. I had to do a lot of research to remember them all myself. XD
Zbwoop: Yes, it was Dead Rising. Though I have to admit I prefer Left 4 Dead. lol.
"You ever think we're getting too good at this?" Columbus asked, wiping gore away from his face.
"Watcha mean by that, spit-fuck?" Tallahassee didn't even look at the younger man as he attempted to dislodge a garden spade from the meaty shoulder of a particularly obese zombie for future use.
"I mean, we don't even think about what we're doing anymore. We know what we're going to do before we even see them." Columbus protested.
"Still not seein' your point, Ohio." Tallahassee grunted as he wrenched the tiny shovel free.
"Let's take a break."
There was a nearly excruciating moment of silence that seemed to echo eternally through the grocery store.
"Take a break?"
"This place is clean. Or as clean as anywhere in Z-land can be. Let's just stock up, find a house, and hang out for a few days. It could be... nice." Columbus shrugged.
Tallahassee thought about it for a long moment.
"Eh. Might as well. 'Specially if it'll shut you up." Tallahassee smiled.
Columbus smiled at him in return and they walked out to the Cadillac. It had been six months since Little Rock had gotten sick and Wichita had accused them of being negligent and had taken her sister and left them. They were enjoying this new freedom of theirs, the sudden freedom that came with not worrying about an emotionally unstable woman and her slightly-clingy younger sister.
The windows were rolled down in Escalade and the CD player was turned off. The only sound was the humming of the engine and the whipping of the wind as it coursed through the cabin. Columbus glanced at Tallahassee from the corner of his eye and grinned when he noticed the zombie hunter looking back at him. Florida loved it when the windows were down and the rushing wind caught Collie's curls. It tossed his dark hair around and curled it towards and away from his face with careless ferocity.
"This looks like as good of a place as any." Tallahassee sighed.
Columbus looked out at the house. It was a cute little one story building, one with what was probably a well-manicured lawn before the outbreak and a well-used '89 Honda with a student parking permit stuck to the windshield in the driveway.
"Side door is unlocked." Columbus murmured. Tallahassee nodded and swung the door open. They searched through the inside of the house and found nothing. Whoever was there wasn't home when the outbreak happened... There was a massive supply of Ramen noodles hidden under the kitchen sink and Columbus's theories about it being the home of a college student were further enforced.
"You like this cheap Science Fiction shit, don't you?" Tallahassee asked from the living room. Columbus stuck his head around the corner and grinned when he saw a John Carpenter movie in those large hands.
"Yeah. You want Ramen? It'll be a nice change from all that Chef Boyardee we've been eating."
"Whatever you whip up is fine, spit-fuck."
Five and a half minutes later, Columbus was sitting next to Tallahassee on a slightly stained and faded couch with a bowl of Ramen in his lap. Tallahassee had re-locked all the doors and barricaded them as well, and was now trying to figure out how to make the DVD player work. When they finally got it to work, Tallahassee sat next to his partner and Columbus curled up against his side.
"That was one of the stupidest movies I've ever seen." Tallahassee grumbled.
"Why was it stupid?" Columbus pouted.
"Please. Pissed off martian spirits inhabiting miners? Fuck. If that'd been me, I woulda been on the first shuttle back to Earth."(1)
"Fine. You pick the next one then." Columbus huffed and cleared the dishes away, dropping them into the sink. He was surprised to find that the house was surprisingly clean, especially by college student standards. He rummaged around in the refrigerator and looked for something to drink. He arched an eyebrow when he discovered a bottle of white zinfandel wine in the back. His suspicions that at least one female roomed here were sounding more and more solid by the minute. The place was clean and there was wine in the fridge? He shrugged and grabbed the bottle and the bottle of red behind it and rummaged around for a corkscrew. He opened both bottles and walked back into the living room where Tallahassee was starting a new movie.
"Wine? You are such a bitch." Tallahssee chuckled.
Columbus flicked him off half-heartedly and reclaimed his seat on the sofa. He raised the zinfandel to his lips and took a heavy pull. He rather liked the taste of wine... It was subtle and sweet, not like the heavy liquors Tally favored.
Columbus blamed the sweetness of the wine for its sudden disappearance. Both bottles were empty on their sides and resting on the carpeted floor before the movie was done. Columbus, being the lightweight he was, had a steady buzz and was leaning heavily on Tallahassee. The southerner didn't seem to notice or mind in the slightest. Collie was half-sleeping when Tallahassee put in another movie. The sun was beginning to set and he knew that he should be double-checking their defenses, but he couldn't pull himself away from the couch, away from Columbus. He instead started another movie and pulled Columbus closer to him once he sat back down. Unfortunately, he couldn't say if the movie was any good seeing as how he was asleep before the movie truly got started.
"Tally... Tally." Columbus hissed.
Tallahassee opened his eyes and groaned as he stretched. Sleeping on couches was a hell of a lot more uncomfortable than he remembered...
"Whatcha want, spit-fuck?" He asked.
"I wanted to know if you wanted breakfast. I found some Bisquick, so all we need is water. No need for eggs and milk and stuff that's gone bad already." Columbus shrugged.
"Pancakes sound nice."
"Good. 'Cause I got a little carried away and already made them." Columbus smiled sheepishly. Tallahassee grinned at him and sat up. Columbus presented him with pancakes layered with thick and gooey syrup. They enjoyed their breakfast while watching some musical Ohio had found and insisted on watching. Neither of them moved beyond changing the movies or occasionally going to the bathroom or making something to eat. They spent their time sitting together, watching movies, and doing as little else as possible.
They days stretched on and began running together and eventually, they stopped caring what day it was. They had no need to leave the house. The town was small and generally uninfected and they had brought plenty of supplies. They didn't even hear the moaning of the undead outside their windows at night.
The days ran together and became a week and a week became two. They had electricity, running water, running hot water, and food enough. They had no reason to leave and nowhere to be.
They took up residence in one of the bedrooms and slept pressed close to each other and lazed in bed until they need to move overpowered them and they then moved into the living room for another long day of lounging and watching the almost painfully extensive movie collection.
"How long do you think we've been here?" Columbus asked with a yawn.
"Closer to two weeks than a day." Tallahassee shrugged and Columbus smiled. Tallahassee's grip around his spit-fuck's waist and kissed the top of Ohio's head. The soft curls brushed his face and he smiled again.
"I think we should raid the house next door." Columbus grinned.
"What for? Thought you wanted to lead a slower life." Tallahassee seemed confused.
"We're almost out of movies and I'm tired of chicken Ramen."
"Then what?"
"We come back here and watch more movies."
"I like the sound of that one, spit-fuck." Tallahassee kissed Ohio's neck with a soft smile.
